Ailanthus altissima

Ailanthus altissima (= Ailanthus glandulosa, Ailanthus peregrina) is a tree.

Contents 1 Naming 2 Taxonomy 3 Characteristics 3.1 Growth 3.2 Wood and Bark 3.3 Leaves 3.4 Flowers and Fruit 3.5 Root System 4 Distribution 5 Cultivation 6 Uses 7 Maintenance 8 Varities and Cultivars 9 Poisonousness 10 Pests and Diseases 11 Man and Ailanthus altissima 11.1 History 11.2 Ailanthus altissima in art 11.3 Symbolism 11.4 Superstition 12 See also 13 References 13.1 Literature 13.2 Footnotes 14 Non-commercial Links

[edit] Naming

Ailanthus altissima was already described and the name validly published by Philip Miller. It was not until 1916, however, that Walter Tennyson Swingle reclassified it into todays valid botanical systematics.

[edit] Taxonomy

Ailanthus altissima is a species in the genus Ailanthus (tree of heaven) which contains 5 species and belongs to the family of the Simaroubaceae (Quassia Family).

[edit] Characteristics

[edit] Growth

The trees grow to a height of approximately 17 meters and have a rounded to broadly columnar shape. They grow at a rapid rate and have a short lifespan.

[edit] Wood and Bark

[edit] Leaves

Ailanthus altissima is a decidious plant with imparipinnate leaves. The leaves are arranged opposite one another. They are mid green and lanceolate with entire margins.

[edit] Flowers and Fruit

The flowers are green. The plants bloom from June to July. The flowers are arranged in panicles.

The yellow fruits are samaras and very ornamental. They develop in summer.

[edit] Root System

[edit] Distribution

Ailanthus altissima is native to China, is naturalized in North America and Europe.

[edit] Cultivation

Ailanthus altissima prefers a sunny to half shady site and can withstand temperatures down to -23,3º C. It grows best in loamy soil, sandy, loamy soil, clay soil, sandy or loamy clay soil that is moderately moist. The plants are moderately drought tolerant. They will do moderately well in anaerobic soils and are highly tolerant of limy conditions.

[edit] Uses

Ailanthus altissima is used medicinally.

[edit] Maintenance

[edit] Varities and Cultivars

[edit] Poisonousness

Ailanthus altissima is poisonous.

 Please read the health issues note! 

[edit] Pests and Diseases

[edit] Man and Ailanthus altissima

[edit] History

[edit] Ailanthus altissima in art

[edit] Symbolism

[edit] Superstition

[edit] See also

[edit] References

[edit] Literature

• Walter Erhardt, Erich Götz, Nils Bödeker, Siegmund Seybold: Der große Zander. Eugen Ulmer KG, Stuttgart 2008, ISBN 978-3-8001-5406-7. (Ger.)
• Christoper Brickell (Editor-in-chief): RHS A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants. Third edition. Dorling Kindersley, London 2003, ISBN 0-7513-3738-2.
• efloras.org

[edit] Footnotes

[edit] Non-commercial Links

More pictures of Ailanthus altissima in the

generate a QR code for this article

• United States Department of Agriculturees:Ailanthus altissimafr:Ailanthus altissima